Are we set at safety?

this is a discussion within the Saints Community Forum; Originally Posted by NuNu318
S Tanard Jackson just released by the Bucs. Now he did get released because he failed his physical. He is still recovering from shoulder surgery and his agent says he should be healed by the end ...

S Tanard Jackson just released by the Bucs. Now he did get released because he failed his physical. He is still recovering from shoulder surgery and his agent says he should be healed by the end of the offseason. Does anyone think he's worth taking a flyer on at least for depth purposes?

If he was cut because he failed a physical, but has to pass one for the Saints to sign him. How is that going to work?

I guess I'll have to be the one to make the obvious point. Next year we are going to have a new defensive scheme with a new coordinator. There are absolutely no guarantees that Spags is going to use Harper the same way that Williams did. If Spags expects his SS to be locked up with a TE in coverage 80% of the time, then Harper may not be the right fit.

The question is what does the scheme look like next year. What safety we need will depend on that answer.

I guess I'll have to be the one to make the obvious point. Next year we are going to have a new defensive scheme with a new coordinator. There are absolutely no guarantees that Spags is going to use Harper the same way that Williams did. If Spags expects his SS to be locked up with a TE in coverage 80% of the time, then Harper may not be the right fit.

The question is what does the scheme look like next year. What safety we need will depend on that answer.

SFIAH

Well, Spags has to find a way to best utilize Harper's particular skill-set, because if he isn't suspended - he'll be a starter at SS, the contract he received last off-season makes that inevitable because they won't be able to move him.

Harper thrived because GW blitzed 489567897326485902 times a game. And he looks like my 10 year old daughter in pass coverage. I think we could afford to invest in a SS in the near future. On the other hand, I think Jenkins will be fine

Harper thrived because GW blitzed 489567897326485902 times a game. And he looks like my 10 year old daughter in pass coverage. I think we could afford to invest in a SS in the near future. On the other hand, I think Jenkins will be fine

Harper is a SS. A SS primary function is to stop the run 1st, drop back in coverage second. A SS should be a solid tackler. I'd say Harper excells at both stopping the run, blitzing, & tackling.

Jenkins is a FS. The free safety is the last line of defense on the football field. He's definitely more of a pass-minded defender. His job is to sit back, survey, and attack where needed. He supports the run, but not so much as a SS.

With that defined for you, I'd say Harper did his job. Jenkins got beat alot.....a whole lot! Do I think that defines Jenkins as a FS.....NO. I think he had an off year. That said.....I don't see why everyone is so worried about Harper. He did his job. There is a reason he made the Pro Bowl....again. That's probably why alot of other teams have been trying to get him too (like the Giants, etc...) Jenkins, on the other hand, needs to step it up a notch & learn how to tackle.

Harper is a SS. A SS primary function is to stop the run 1st, drop back in coverage second. A SS should be a solid tackler. I'd say Harper excells at both stopping the run, blitzing, & tackling.

Jenkins is a FS. The free safety is the last line of defense on the football field. He's definitely more of a pass-minded defender. His job is to sit back, survey, and attack where needed. He supports the run, but not so much as a SS.

With that defined for you, I'd say Harper did his job. Jenkins got beat alot.....a whole lot! Do I think that defines Jenkins as a FS.....NO. I think he had an off year. That said.....I don't see why everyone is so worried about Harper. He did his job. There is a reason he made the Pro Bowl....again. That's probably why alot of other teams have been trying to get him too (like the Giants, etc...) Jenkins, on the other hand, needs to step it up a notch & learn how to tackle.

Trust me I know the roles of a Safety. I was a FS in High School and College. But when every QB in the NFL knows that you are terrible in pass coverage it tends to get exploited. I know the SS is the weaker of the 2 in coverage but the majority of SS are at least decent in coverage when need be. Not Harper. He misses his fare share of open field tackles (along with 75% of the other players on our defense). I think in crucial points of the game he becomes a liability on the field.